Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 38

She owed a debt of gratitude, and naturally, it was hers to repay.

Back at home, she carefully hung the painting on the wall. The roses blooming in the gloom of the canvas filled her with a sense of catharsis. When she left Luminova City, she would take this painting with her—it served as a warning, a constant reminder of how foolish her devotion had been all these years.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed violently.

It was her coworkers gossiping in the office group chat.

“Told you Vianne was just all show and no substance.”

“Seriously, she managed to mess up something so simple. What a joke.”

“If this project tanks, there goes our year-end bonus.”

Silvia scrolled up through the messages.

Apparently, a deal she had secured earlier had run into trouble.

But the root of the problem was Vianne.

After taking over Silvia’s project, Vianne somehow managed to approve the wrong funds, putting the project in the red before it even started.

It was, quite plainly, all Vianne’s fault.

Yet Shipley hadn’t fired her. Instead, he’d covered the shortfall out of pocket.

Now, they were scrambling to reconnect with the client.

Suddenly, Shipley’s name flashed across her screen.

She answered.

“Sweet Silvia, the project you handed over to Vianne has hit a snag. Come in and help sort it out, will you?”

Silvia laughed quietly.

Just as she’d expected.

Shipley never called unless it was important—and if it involved Vianne, it was always trouble.

Could love really cloud his judgment that much?

Silvia didn’t want to see everyone’s efforts ruined, so half-willing, half-resigned, she headed for the office.

Everyone knew she was coming. Her coworkers watched her with hopeful eyes, as if she were their last chance.

Maybe it was the urgency, but Shipley and Vianne were both waiting in the conference room when she arrived.

They stood close together, looking, for a moment, like a perfect match.

“Silvia, I’m sorry,” Vianne apologized first, her eyes glistening with tears. “I’ve just been so overwhelmed lately—I know you’re upset, and you have every right to be. But please, I need your help.”

Shipley’s gaze was fixed on Silvia. He handed her the folder.

“I remember you’ve worked with The Upton Group before. You should be familiar with them.”

The Upton Group?

Silvia felt the color drain from her face.